Of the three films Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier made together, THAT HAMILTON WOMAN is the most watchable but it's obvious patriotism almost sinks it today.
Filmed in Hollywood in just five weeks, Korda made propaganda depicting Britain fighting a war against a European aggressor. So what if Bonaparte was French? It's patriotism that counted!
Churchill's favourite film was made on a reduced budget although the lavish art direction by Vincent Korda belies it.
Destitute alcoholic Emma Hamilton is thrown in a Calais jail and she recalls her life in flashback.
As young Emma, it feels at times like Vivien was told "Just do it like you played Scarlett" as she pouts and teases her way into the dour Lord Nelson's affections but she is a total delight and rises to Emma's lonely end.
She deserves her top-billing; sadly Olivier's Nelson is as animated as the Trafalgar Square statue.
Shelf or charity shop? A keeper for glorious Vivien who, despite Olivier's stolidness, makes their scenes together spark. The standouts in the supporting cast are Gladys Cooper as Nelson's neglected wife Lady Frances and Sara Allgood as Mrs Cadogan-Lyon, Emma's gauche social-climbing Irish mother.
No comments:
Post a Comment